ARTICLE 22
CAPITAL lMPROVEMENTS ASSABET RIVER RAIL TRAIL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
(2/3 Vote Required)
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or borrow, $900,000, or any other sum, to be expended by the Town Manager for the purpose of financing the planning, design and construction of the Acton portion of the Assabet River Rail Trail, or any portion thereof, including, without limitation, all costs and any related expenses thereof, and to authorize the Town Manager to apply for, accept, expend and borrow in anticipation of any Federal and State Grants available for these purposes, or take any other action relative thereto.

SUMMARY
The Assabet River Rail Trail (ARRT) is a joint bikeway project with Maynard, Stow, Hudson, and Marlborough. The trail follows an abandoned rail line between South Acton and Marlborough. In 1998, the Town appropriated funds for the acquisition of the Assabet River Rail Trail route in Acton. Federal funds to offset the acquisition cost have now been earmarked and are expected to be released this year. The Town has initiated purchase talks with the MBTA, the principal owner of the rail line. This article will appropriate the cost for the design and construction of the bikeway. The total cost is estimated at $900,000. The Town will apply for reimbursable funds from State and Federal sources which will reimburse approximately $815,000 of this expenditure, reducing our net expenditure to approximately $85,000. The motion for this Article will stipulate that borrowing will be contingent upon receipt of State and or Federal funds. If the funding is not received we will not proceed with the project. The town will apply for these funds in the weeks following the appropriation.